New SMW members honored

 

Well, last month, we photographed Leo the Pouncer trying to turn the doorknob. Shortly after the photo was shot, he did remove the key! Next month, we know he will open the door! Our number two kitty, known alternately as “Baby” or “Stop That!”, loves to sneak up on us in the night. You know she is nearing when you are wakened from a sound sleep by purring that gets louder and louder. She then puts out a paw. If you keep playing “possum” and pretend not to see the approach, the rhythmic “kneading of the dough” begins, reaching a crescendo of “left, right, left, right,” with the pain of the little razor claws finally reaching enough of a bother for whichever of us she has targeted to gently but firmly pitch her off the bed. If she weren't so adorable, one could get very annoyed.

This month, our dad celebrated his 96 th birthday. “Does he know you,” we are asked? “If he wants to,” is our reply. Those big blue eyes can flap open and you know he knows you. As his family gathered by his bedside, we were all grateful for the zest for life this giant of a man gave to all of us. We laugh and remember what it was like growing up in his home. It was never dull.

We were unable to attend the memorial celebration of his life that Richard Louis Goodman's family held in Austin for the talented man they loved. His son, John Bradford Goodman, was unable to attend because of health reasons, but organized a video presentation to Richard's Austin family and friends. We are sure it was special and look forward to getting to know John better through his e-mails.

New members of the Society of Martha Washington were honored with a tea at the home of Lorraine Laurel. The affair was hosted by the Colonial Ladies, who have portrayed Martha Washington or served as president of the Society. The new members were welcomed by president Veronica Castillon. They include Hayley Cokerham Kazen, Thelma Gomez Casso, Sara García Lopez, Patricia Cremo Laurel, Denise Jacaman Garza, Laura Azios Milks, and Angie de los Santos Moore.

Colonial Ladies present included Julia Jones, Sheila Glassford, Helen Pellegrin, Sharon Zaffirini, Linda Mann, Annabelle Hall, Jennie L. Reed, Jeanette McKeown, Rosanne Potts, Rebecca Wise, Violeta Zertuche, and Mary Kazen, Martha Washington 2006.

Always a hit when visiting Lorraine's beautiful new home by the golf course are the geese that love to wander around the little nearby lake. This day, they were hiding from the sun, under the lawn furniture.

A good friend from long ago, Joyce Wolf, passed away last month. We spoke to her husband Bruno as we were unable to pay our last respects. Joyce was a pal from Texas Press Women days. Joyce served as president of the South Texas chapter. She was the executive field director of the Girl Scouts Paisano Council in the late 1980s. Joyce was a Daughter of the Republic of Texas, Alamo Chapter, and was a descendant of the “Original 500” families in Texas. Joyce and Bruno had been living in Corpus Christi. It is hard to believe this vibrant woman had reached her 80s. How quickly time goes by.

Cristina Greco's dance studio El Estudio hosted the year-end recital, Noche de Mil Colores, at UISD's Student Activity Center. Students danced numbers from many of the classical ballets. Our granddaughter Natalie Reed appeared in “Waltz of the Flowers,” as did her cousin Evelyn Milks and other little ballerinas. Clever renditions from Broadway musicals and flamenco favorites filled the hall with music. A highlight was “Concierto de Castañuelas,” featuring Altagracia A. García and some of her former students, including her daughter Ana Isabel Alvarez, Lisa King, Jackie Jacaman, Saralicia Medrano, Erica B. García, and Cristina Greco in a dramatic performance of castanets to the music of Manuel De Falla. Alta choreographed and directed the dramatic presentation.

We were sorry to miss the live jazz recording session by the Joe Guerra Quartet at Espuma's Pub & Café. All of the sets will be digitally recorded for a CD/DVD scheduled for release later this fall.

Seems like we see more of pal Wanda Deliganis since she has lived in Houston than ever before. She came to visit her aunt Julia Deliganis and to accompany her son Philip and his wife Pam to the wedding of Philip's friend Rick Guajardo to Nelia Edith Aguilar. We will cover details of the nuptials next month. It was a wonderful wedding. The bride comes from a large family and her brothers all wore black cowboy hats.

Daughter Vickie Vela and granddaughter Jennie paid us a visit and put in some volunteer hours at the animal shelter. Jen showed us how to insert photos into our website, which is www.laredoanimalshelter.org. The site was created by Eddie Elizondo as an Eagle Scout project. As our readers are aware, the animal shelter has once again become a prime focus in our lives. Aging as she was, our beloved Devine Sisters Shelter for Animals was an outgrowth of our great-aunts' love for animals. When the homeless overwhelmed their backyard, they looked for land and purchased a city block in the Ladrillera neighborhood, which was mostly wilderness then. In the 50-some-odd years since, it has become crowded with homes and neighbors and we must look for a new location. Until one can be found, the City of Laredo has come to the shelter's aid, by paving old dirt pens and putting in new drainage systems. It has occupied every waking moment of the board of directors' and volunteers' time. A labor of love, to be sure, but a lotta work!

We are most grateful to the City of Laredo and to our wonderful animal-loving friends who have helped with generous gifts to help in the purchase of materials needed.

We look forward to a blessing and open house when the renovation is complete.

Great friends KGNS-TV hosted a Pet Fest June 11. It was a huge success. Held in the parking lot of the television station, it was an extravaganza for everyone, featuring Pony rides, rabies vaccinations, pet adoptions, and more. Dr. Sandra Leyendecker vaccinated hundreds of dogs and cats and donated the proceeds to the shelter. We thank her for her generosity. We also thank the volunteers who gave their time all day.

Edwin “Buddy” Foster celebrated his 93 rd birthday among three generations of his family.

 

Words to live by: Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.